TKKM o Waitaha

1 He Kupu Arataki

Kua mahi ngātahi Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga, ngā whānau, ngā kaiārahi, ngā kaimahi me ngā hapori ki te whakawhanake i ngā tirohanga aromātai e whai wāhi nui ai ki te hāpai i te kawenga takohanga me te whakapaitanga, ki te tautuhi i te ahu whakamua, ā, ki te whakapakari ake hoki i te āheinga ki te aromātai. E hāngai ana tēnei pūrongo ki ā rātou pūnaha, ki ā rātou whakaritenga, me ā rātou mahi whakahaere. Ka whakarato ngā pūrongo a Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga i ngā mōhiohio mātuatua mā ngā whānau, mā ngā hapū, me ngā iwi. 

2 Te Horopaki 

Whakapūmau rangatira rau, he tamaiti, he rangatira, he ākonga, he raukura!

E tū ana Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waitaha ki Ōtautahi, ā, e whakarato ana i te mātauranga kaupapa Māori kua pou herea ki ngā mātāpono o Te Aho Matua, mō ngā tamariki o ngā tau 1 ki te 15. Ko Te Kura Whakapūmau i te Reo Tūturu ki Waitaha te kura kaupapa Māori tuatahi i te rohe o Te Waka, ā, e tautokona ana i nāianei e te tini o ngā raukura kua hokihoki mai hei kaiako, hei kaimahi hoki ki te hāpai i te whakawhanake tonutanga o te kura. 

3 Te Aronga o te Aromātai 

He pēhea rawa te whakatinana mai a ngā tamariki i te whakakitenga o te kura i roto i ā rātou mahi, ō rātou tūranga, me ā rātou kawenga o ia rā? 

Ka kitea ki ngā tamariki te ngākau titikaha i a rātou e whai wāhi atu ana ki ngā wheako ako e whakatairanga ana i te reo Māori, i ngā tikanga, me ngā whai wāhitanga ki te ārahi. 

4 Ngā Whakaaturanga 

Te Ira Tangata 

I ngā wā katoa, ka whakatinana ngā tamariki i te ngākau titikaha ki tō rātou tuakiritanga. Kei te tūmāia rātou ki te whai wāhi atu ki ngā whaikōrero, ngā waiata, ngā karakia, me te kapa haka, ā, ka kitea te hōhonutanga o tō rātou māramatanga, tā rātou pupuri hoki i ā rātou kōrero tuku iho me ngā tikanga ahurea. E tautāwhi ana te kura i ngā wawata o ngā tīpuna rangatira, ā, ka whakapuaki i tā rātou tirohanga ki ngā tamariki me ngā whānau kia toitū ai te tuku ā-whakatupuranga nei i ngā mātauranga. E poipoia ana tō rātou aronga toi whenuatanga ki ngā hononga ā-whānau, ā-kura hoki, ā, e tautokona ana tā rātou tūhura, tā rātou whakamanatanga hoki i ō rātou whakapapa, ō rātou hononga ā-iwi, me ō rātou pūmanawa ake. Ka whai wāhi mai ngā kaumātua ki ngā tūmomo wheako ako, ā, ka whakapuaki i ngā mōhiotanga o ngā hapū me te iwi. Ka whakapuaki māhorahora ngā tamariki i tō rātou tuakiritanga, mā roto mai i ngā horopaki ōkawa me ngā horopaki ōpaki, puta noa i te kura. Ka whakapūmau anōtia taua ngākau titikaha e te ngākau nuitanga o te kura ki te tuakiritanga ake o tēnā me tēnā, mā roto mai i te pūtake o ngā whakaakoranga me ngā akoranga. Kei te manawa whakahī ngā tamariki ki tō rātou tuakiritanga, ā, ka whakatinana i tō rātou tuakiri me tō rātou tūrangawaewae. 

Te Reo 

Ka whakakoia ngā tamariki i tō rātou tuakiritanga mā te whakapuaki i te reo Māori o ia rā. Ko te reo Māori te reo whakaako, me te tūāpapa o te tuakiri, o ngā hononga, me te whakapuakitanga ā-ahurea nei i roto i te kura. Kei te ngākau titikaha ngā tamariki ki te whakamahi i te reo Māori puta noa i te tangongitanga o ngā horopaki – ā-mātauranga, ā-tāngata, ā-tikanga hoki – ā, ka whakaatu i te hōhonutanga o tō rātou mātau ki te reo me te ahurea. E tautokona ana ngā tamariki kia kōrero, kia whakaaro, kia waihanga hoki mā te reo Māori, ā, he tūāhuatanga tēnei e whakapūmau ana i tō rātou tū tangata me ō rātou hononga ā-iwi, ā-hapū, ā-whānau hoki. Ka whakamaheretia ngā hōtaka akoranga hei hāpai i te whakawhanaketanga reo, ā, ka poipoia ngā ākonga hou o te reo Māori kia ngākau titikaha ai rātou ki te kōrero. He tauira pai ngā kaimahi, ā, kei te auaha tā rātou whakatairanga i te reo Māori me te whakamahinga o te tangongitanga o ngā rautaki e hāpai ai i te hopu reo, pērā i te reo ā-ringa, te reo ā-manu, me te reo rotarota. Ka ū pūmau te kura ki Te Aho Matua hei āta whakatau i te noho pū o te reo Māori ki ngā wheako ako katoa, hei hāpai anō hoki i te ngākau titikaha, i te mātau ā-ahurea hoki o ia tamaiti. Ko te whakamanatanga o te tuakiritanga mā te reo Māori tētahi tino pūkenga o te kura. Kei te ngākau titikaha ngā tamariki ki te kōrero i te reo Māori. 

Ngā Iwi 

Ka kitea ki ngā tamariki te tupu, te whai pūtaketanga hoki o ngā māramatanga o ngā tamariki ki te whakahirahiratanga o te ako, ki ō rātou tūranga hoki i te ao Māori. Mā roto mai i tētahi marau e āta whakapuakihia ana ki Te Aho Matua, e ākina ana ngā tamariki i ngā wā katoa ki te kite i te mātauranga hei huarahi e whakatairanga ai i ō rātou whānau, ō rātou hapū, me ō rātou iwi. Kei te māramahia e rātou, ehara te whai mātauranga mō te angitu takitahi anake, engari kē mō te waiora o te katoa. Ka whai wāhi atu ngā tamariki ki ngā kaupapa e tūhonohono ana i a rātou ki ō rātou whenua, ō rātou whakapapa, me ngā tikanga, ā, e tautoko ana tō rātou tū ā tōna wā hei kaitiaki, hei kaiārahi, hei kaihāpai hoki i roto i ō rātou hapori. Ko tā rātou whai wāhi atu ki ngā akoranga whai tikanga e whakaatu ana i te tino mōhiotanga ki ā rātou kawenga me te pitomata i roto i te ao Māori. Ka whai pānga nui ngā kaiako me ngā whānau ki te whakapūmau i aua māramatanga, ā, ka āta whakatau kia kaua ngā tamariki e ako noa i te kiko o ngā akoranga mātauranga, engari kē, ka whakawhanake anō hoki i te hōhonutanga o te whai pūtaketanga me te tuakiri hei Māori. E poipoi ana taua aronga torowhānui i ngā tamariki, ā, kei te ngākau titikaha, kei te mātau ā-ahurea, kei te hihiri hoki ki te hāpai nui i tō rātou ao. 

Te Ao 

E whakatutuki mātātoa ngā tamariki i ō rātou tūranga me ā rātou kawenga i roto i te ao Māori, mā te ngākau titikaha, te pakari me te ngākau pono. Ka whai wāhi atu rātou ki ngā tikanga pērā i ngā karakia, ngā pōwhiri, ngā waiata, me te kapa haka, ā, ka whakaatu i te tino māramatanga ki tō rātou tū i roto i te whānau, te hapū, me te iwi. Kei te tino angitu ngā tamariki i roto i te kapa haka, ā, kua whakakanohi i te kura ki ngā whakataetae ā-rohe, ā-motu hoki. He maha ngā wā ka ārahi ngā ākonga tuākana i te kapa haka, ā, ka āwhina ki te ruruku i ngā kaupapa pērā i a Matariki, i Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, i te Ope Taua, me te Puhi Taioreore. Ka kitea te ārahitanga puta noa i te tangongitanga o ngā horopaki i te kura. Ka kawe atu ngā tamariki i ngā tūranga o te kaikarakia, te kaikōrero, te kaiwaiata, me te kaikaranga i ngā wā ōkawa, tae atu ki ngā pōwhiri me ngā karakia o ia rā. Ka whakapuaki aua mahinga i te hōhonutanga o ngā tikanga i te taiao, kia puāwai ngā tamariki hei kaiārahi, ā, kia whakapūmau rātou i ngā tūranga o te pou tikanga i roto i ngā whakaritenga o ia rā. Ka kitea ki aua tūranga te tupu haere o ā rātou kawenga mahi, me tō rātou āheinga ki te āta hāpai atu i te ngātahitanga me ngā kaupapa whai pūtake. Ko te ū o te kura ki Te Aho Matua e āta whakatau ana i te poipoitanga o ngā tamariki kia mārama, kia tautāwhi hoki rātou i ō rātou tūranga hei kaiārahi, hei kaitiaki hoki ā tōna wā i roto i te ao Māori. Ka whakatutuki mātātoa ngā tamariki i ngā tūranga ārahi i roto i te kura, i ō rātou whānau, i te hapori hoki. 

Āhuatanga Ako

Ka whai wāhi nui ngā tamariki ki ā rātou akoranga. Ka kitea te pākiki, te whakahihiko, me te ngākau nuitanga o ngā tamariki ki te tūhura i ō rātou whakaaro mā te reo Māori, mā te mātauranga, me ngā wheako ā-ringa. Ka whai horopaki ngā akoranga i roto i te ao Māori, ā, he tūāhuatanga tēnei e whakapakari ana i te whai pānga me te whai hononga ki tō rātou tuakiri hei Māori. Ka whai wāhi mātātoa rātou ki ngā akoranga pakirehua me te whakapuakitanga o te taha auaha. Ka kitea ki ngā tamariki te hihiwa, te mahi ngātahi, me te manawa whakahī mō ā rātou mahi, ā, he maha ngā wā ka ārahi rātou i ētahi wāhanga o ngā akoranga, ka tautoko hoki i ō rātou hoa. Ka poipoi ngā kaiako i tētahi taiao ako e whakakotahi ana, e whakamana ana i te ahurea, ā, e aro nui ana ki ngā pūmanawa me ngā pūkenga o ia tamaiti. Ka whai pānga nui aua tūāhuatanga ki te kaha o te whai wāhi atu a ngā tamariki, me tō rātou rongo i te whakamanatanga, ā, ka whakawhānui hoki i ō rātou whakaaro. Kua pou herea ngā akoranga katoa ki Te Aho Matua me ngā uara o te kura e miramira ai i te whakahirahiratanga o te ao Māori i roto i te kura. E hāpaitia ana te whakatutukitanga o ngā tamariki i ngā wawata o ngā whānau mō rātou. 

Kua whai wāhi atu ngā tamariki o te wharekura ki tētahi hōtaka e hāpai ana i a rātou ki te eke angitu i roto i te mātauranga. Ka whakaratohia mā ngā tamariki o ngā tau 9 me te 10 tētahi marau e whakariterite ana i tā rātou whai wāhi atu ki Te Taumata Mātauranga ā-Motu kua Taea. Ka whai haere te kura i te whakatutukitanga o ngā whiwhinga Te Taumata Mātauranga ā-Motu kua Taea, hei tautuhia i ngā ia, me te whakarato i te tautoko anō e tika ana. E tohu ana ngā hōtuku i te eke angitu o te 100% o ngā tamariki i roto i te Taumata 1 me te Taumata 2. E tino tautokona ana te whakatutukitanga o ngā tamariki i ō rātou pitomata mātauranga. 

Te Ārahitanga me te Whānau Whakahaere

Ka kitea ki te kura te whai pānga nui o te ahurea ki te ārahitanga me ngā whakaritenga kāwana. Kua āta whakatōngia ki te mahere rautaki ngā mātāpono o Te Aho Matua me ngā uara matua o te kura. Ka ahu pū ngā mahere i ngā tirohanga o te ao Māori, hei āta whakatau i te whai pānga o ngā whāinga katoa me ngā kaupapa matua katoa ki ngā wawata o ngā whānau, ngā tamariki, ngā kaimahi, me te hapori whānui. Ka poipoi taua aronga i te whai kawenga me te whai aronga, ā, ka whakatakoto ngātahi ngā kōkiritanga rautaki hei whakapūmau i te tirohanga me te kaupapa o te kura. Ka whakapūmau ngā whakawhitinga kōrero me te whai wāhi mai a ngā whānau me ngā kaimahi i taua aronga ngātahi, ā, ka whakapakari anō hoki i te kotahitanga me te whai pūtaketanga o te kura. Hui tahi ai Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Waka i ia te wā ki te tautoko mā te ārahitanga me te tuku whakaaro, ka whakapuaki i ngā pūnaha me ngā aronga e whai pānga ana ki te ako mā Te Aho Matua. He whai wāhitanga aua huihuinga ki te whakaaro huritao, ki te whakatairanga ake, me te whakapuaki ngātahi i ngā whakaritenga papai puta noa i ngā kura. E whakamanahia ana te puāwai o ngā tamariki mā roto mai i ngā taiao e āta poipoia ai te aronga toi whenuatanga nā te whai pānga nui o te ahurea ki te ārahitanga me ngā mahi kāwana. 

Ngā Whakaritenga Matua ka whai ake

Me whakapai ake i ētahi tūāhuatanga o ngā mahi kāwana. Kei te hou ētahi o ngā mema o te Ohu Whakahaere ki ō rātou tūranga. I tēnei wā, kei te kawe rātou i ētahi wero e whai pānga ana ki ngā take tuku mahi. He mea nui kia toro atu te Ohu Whakahaere ki te tautoko me te ārahitanga e hāpai ai i te whakawhanaketanga o ngā mōhiotanga me ngā pūkenga e pā ana ki ngā mahi kāwana, kia āhei ai ki te whakatau whakaritenga e whai mōhiohio ana i a rātou e whakatutuki ana i ā rātou kawenga mahi. Ka pai ake ngā putanga ki ngā tamariki i te wā kua āta whakatōngia ngā whakaritenga kāwana e whai hua ana. 

Kua tautuhia e ngā kaiārahi o te kura, ko te mahere whakatinanatanga ā-tau tētahi tūāhuatanga hei whakapai tonu. Kua tae ki te wā kia whakapuaki te ārahitanga i ngā whāinga me ngā mahinga ki te taha o te Ohu Whakahaere, hei āta whakatau i te māramatanga o ngā mahi, ngā kawenga mahi, me ngā rārangi wā, me te tuku atu i ērā ki te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga. Ka whai hua ngā tamariki nā te kawe ngātahi o te ārahitanga o te kura i te whakamaheretanga me te whakapuakitanga o ngā wawata o ngā whānau mō ngā tamariki me te kura. 

Me whakapakari ake i te aromātai o roto. He mea nui kia mōhio ngā kaiārahi ki tēnā e whai hua ana ki te whakapai ake i ngā putanga ki ngā tamariki. I tēnei wā, kei te ngoikore ngā tukanga mō te whakaemi, te tātari, me te aroturuki i te ahu whakamua me ngā whakatutukitanga o ngā tamariki, tae noa atu ki te Tau 10. I ngā mōhiohio i whakaratohia ai mō te arotakenga, kāhore i tautuhi, i aro rānei ki ngā matea katoa o ngā tamariki, ki ngā wāhanga rānei o te marau e tohu ai i ngā wāhanga o ngā rerekētanga, kāhore rānei i āta whakatakoto i ngā tūmanako teitei mō te whakatere ake i te ahu whakamua o ngā tamariki e tika ana. Tāpiri atu ki tēnā, ko ngā hōtuku mō te taetae mai ki te kura e tohu ana i te ngoikore o te taetae mai me te heke iho o ngā tatauranga mai i te Wāhanga 1 ki te Wāhanga 3. He mea nui kia tautuhi, kia whakaōkawa hoki ngā kaiārahi o te kura i ngā rautaki me ngā tukanga e whakapiki ake ai i te taetae mai ki te kura, tae atu ki te aroturukitanga o ngā pūnaha me ngā kōkiritanga e hāpai ana i te whai wāhi mai a ngā whānau. Ka whakatairangatia te ahu whakamua me te whai wāhi mai a ngā tamariki mā te whakapai ake i ngā whakaritenga aromātai o roto. 

Me titiro wawe ki ngā whakaritenga e pā ana ki ngā pūmanawa tāngata. Kāhore anō kia whakatutukihia te arowhai ā-pirihimana, te arowhai haumaru rānei i ngā kaimahi katoa, i mua i te whiwhi tūranga mahi. Me whakatinana i ngā whakaritenga pakari mō te tuku mahi - tae atu ki te noho whakahauanga o ngā mahi arowhai, me te noho mārama anō hoki o ngā tukanga e pā ana ki ngā pūmanawa tāngata – hei whakapakari i te haumaru me te whakatutukitanga o ngā herenga ā-ture. Ka whakatairangatia te haumaru o ngā tamariki me ngā mokopuna mā te whakapaitanga ake o ngā mahi pūmanawa tāngata.

5 Te Whakatau a te Whānau ki ngā Wāhanga Tautukunga

I mua atu i te aromātai i whakatutukihia e te poari me te tumuaki he Tauāki Kupu Tūturu a te Whānau mā Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga, me tētahi Rārangi Arowhai Tātari Whaiaro. I roto i aua tuhinga i oati rātou i whāia e rātou ngā huarahi whai take hei whakatutuki i ā rātou herenga ā-ture e pā ana ki:

• ngā whakahaere a te poari
• te marautanga
• ngā whakahaere mō te hauora, te haumaru, me te oranga tinana
• ngā whakahaere o ngā kaimahi
• ngā whakahaere o te pūtea
• ngā whakahaere o ngā rawa.

I te wā o te arotake, i whakamātauhia e Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga ngā āhuatanga i raro iho nei, i te mea he nui te pānga o ēnei ki te haumaru me te waiora o ngā ākonga:

• te haumaru aronganui o ngā ākonga (tāpiri atu ki te ārai i ngā mahi whakawetiweti me ngā mahi whakaaito)
• te haumaru ā-tinana o ngā ākonga
• te rēhitatanga o ngā kaiako
• ngā tukanga ki te whakatū kaimahi
• te whakaunu, te aukati, te pana me te whakarerenga
• te tae ā-tinana atu a ngā ākonga ki te kura

Hei whakatutuki i ngā herenga ā-ture, me tahuri rātou ki te:

• āta whakatinana i ngā whakaritenga e tika ana mō te whakahaeretanga o ngā pūmanawa tāngata, tae atu ki:

1. te whakatutukitanga o te arowhai a ngā pirihimana i ngā kaimahi i mua i te tīmatanga o te tangata ki te mahi ki te kura; me
2. te whai whakaaro ki ngā mōhiohio i te arowhai a ngā pirihimana, hei āta tātari ina āe rānei, kāhore rānei he tangata ka whakamōrearea pea i te haumaru o ngā tamariki ina mahi ia ki te kura 
   [Education and Training Amendment Act 2023, Children’s Act 2014] 

Kei te whai huarahi te Ohu Whakahaere kia tutuki i tēnei herenga ā ture.

6 Te Taunakitanga

E taunaki ana Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga kia hui tahi te Ohu Whakahaere ki te taha o te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga me Te Rūnanga Nui o Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa ki te whakatau i te tautoko e tika ana kia whāia. 

Tiwana Hibbs
Toka ā Nuku - Director
Te Uepū ā-Motu – Māori Review Services

20 Poutūterangi, 2026

7 Ngā kōrero e pā ana ki te  Kura

1 Introduction

 The Education Review Office (ERO) in collaboration with whānau, leaders, kaimahi and their communities develop evaluation insights that foster accountability and improvement, identify progress and build evaluation capability. This report reflects their systems, operations and management practices. The ERO reports provide important information for whānau, hapū and iwi. 

2 Context 

Whakapūmau rangatira rau, he tamaiti, he rangatira, he ākonga, he raukura!

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Waitaha, located in Ōtautahi, provides kaupapa Māori education for tamariki from Years 1 to 15, underpinned by the principles of Te Aho Matua. Te Kura Whakapūmau i te Reo Tūturu ki Waitaha, the first Kura Kaupapa Māori within the rohe of Te Waka, is now supported by a number of raukura who have returned as kaiako and kaimahi to contribute to the ongoing development of the kura.

3 Evaluation Focus

How well do tamariki demonstrate the whakakitenga of the kura in their everyday practices, roles, and responsibilities? 

Tamariki demonstrate confidence as they participate in learning experiences that promotes te reo Māori, tikanga practices, and leadership opportunities.

4 Findings

Te Ira Tangata

Tamariki consistently demonstrate confidence in their tuakiritanga. They engage confidently in whaikōrero, waiata, karakia, and kapa haka, showing a deep understanding and ownership of their cultural narratives and practices. The kura embraces the aspirations of the founding tīpuna, sharing their vision with the tamariki and whānau for enduring intergenerational transmission of knowledge. Their sense of belonging is nurtured through whānau and kura connections, and they are supported to explore and affirm their whakapapa, iwi affiliations, and personal strengths. Kaumātua are present during different learning experiences sharing local hapū and iwi knowledge. Tamariki articulate who they are with clarity which is evident in both formal and informal settings across the kura. This confidence is further reinforced by the commitment of the kura to individual tuakiritanga at the heart of teaching and learning. Tamariki are proud of their identify, showing who they are and where they come from.

Te Reo

Tamariki affirm their tuakiritanga through the everyday use of te reo Māori. Te reo Māori is not only the medium of instruction but also the foundation for identity, relationships, and cultural expression within the kura. Tamariki confidently use te reo Māori across a range of contexts, academic, social, and ceremonial, demonstrating deep linguistic competence and cultural understanding. Tamariki are supported to speak, think, and create in te reo Māori, which reinforces their sense of self and connection to their iwi, hapū, and whānau. The learning programmes are planned to support language development and new learners of te reo Māori are nurtured to thrive to become confident speakers. Kaimahi are good role models, and they promote te reo Māori creatively using a wide range of strategies to help its acquisition, such as te reo ā ringa, te reo ā te manu, and te reo rotarota. The kura is committed to Te Aho Matua, ensuring that te reo Māori is central to all learning experiences, enabling tamariki to grow as confident, culturally grounded individuals. This affirmation of tuakiritanga through te reo Māori is a clear strength of the kura. Tamariki are confident speakers of te reo Māori.

Ngā Iwi

Tamariki show a growing and meaningful understanding of the importance of their learning and their roles within te ao Māori. Through a curriculum grounded in Te Aho Matua, tamariki are consistently encouraged to see their education as a pathway to uplift their whānau, hapū, and iwi. They understand that learning is not just for personal success, but for collective well-being. Tamariki engage in kaupapa that connects them to their whenua, whakapapa, and tikanga, and they are supported to see themselves as future kaitiaki, leaders, and contributors to their communities. Their participation in tikanga-based learning reflects a strong awareness of their responsibilities and potential within te ao Māori. Kaiako and whānau play a vital role in reinforcing these understandings, ensuring that tamariki are not only learning academic content but also developing a deep sense of purpose and identity as Māori. This holistic approach fosters tamariki who are confident, culturally grounded, and motivated to contribute meaningfully to their world. 

Te Ao

Tamariki are actively fulfilling their roles and responsibilities in te ao Māori with confidence, maturity, and integrity. They participate in tikanga-based practices such as karakia, pōwhiri, waiata, and kapa haka, demonstrating a strong understanding of their place within whānau, hapū, and iwi. Tamariki are highly successful in kapa haka and have represented the kura at a regional and national level. Senior students often lead kapa haka and help coordinate kaupapa such as Matariki celebrations, Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, Ope Tauā, and Puhi Taioreore. Leadership is evident across a range of kura contexts. Tamariki take on roles such as kaikarakia, kaikōrero, kaiwaiata, and kaikaranga during formal occasions, including pōwhiri and daily karakia. These routines provide a tikanga rich environment for tamariki to thrive as leaders and uphold the roles of pou tikanga in everyday practices. These roles reflect their growing sense of responsibility and their ability to contribute meaningfully to collective and meaningful kaupapa. The kura commitment to Te Aho Matua ensures that tamariki are nurtured to understand and embrace their roles as future leaders and kaitiaki within te ao Māori. Tamariki actively fulfil leadership roles in the kura, their whānau, and community.

Āhuatanga Ako

Tamariki are engaged in their learning. Tamariki show curiosity, motivation, and a willingness to explore ideas through te reo Māori, mātauranga Māori, and hands-on experiences. Learning is contextualised within te ao Māori, which strengthens relevance and connection to their sense of identity as Māori. They are actively involved in inquiry-based learning and creative expression. Tamariki demonstrate attention, collaboration, and pride in their work, often leading aspects of learning and supporting their peers. Kaiako foster a learning environment that is inclusive, culturally affirming, and responsive to the and strengths of each tamaiti. This contributes to high levels of engagement, with tamariki feeling valued, and to extend their thinking. All learning is underpinned by Te Aho Matua and the uara of the kura, highlighting the importance of te ao Māori within the kura. Tamariki are supported to reach the aspirations whānau have for them.

Tamariki in the wharekura are engaged in a programme that supports them to achieve academic success. Tamariki in Years 9 and 10 are provided with a curriculum in preparation to participate in the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). The kura tracks the attainment of NCEA credits to identify trends and provides additional support where required. The data shows that 100% of tamariki in Levels 1 and 2 achieved NCEA success. Tamariki are well supported to achieve their academic potential.

Leadership and Whānau Whakahaere

The kura demonstrates culturally informed leadership and governance practices. The strategic plan is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Aho Matua and the kura core values. Planning is deliberately approached from a te ao Māori perspective, ensuring that all goals and priorities reflect the collective aspirations of whānau, tamariki, kaimahi, and the wider community. This approach fosters shared ownership and direction, with strategic initiatives shaped collaboratively to uphold the vision and kaupapa of the kura. Consultation and engagement with whānau and kaimahi reinforce this shared commitment, strengthening the kura’s sense of unity and purpose. Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Waka convene regular meetings to provide support through guidance and leadership advice, sharing systems and approaches to learn through Te Aho Matua. These engagements provide opportunities for reflection, improvement, and the sharing of best practice across the network. Tamariki are empowered to thrive in environments where culturally informed leadership and governance foster a strong sense of belonging.

Key Next Steps

Aspects of governance practices requires improvement. Members of the Ohu Whakahaere are new to their roles. They are currently navigating challenges in relation to employment matters. It is important that the Ohu Whakahaere seek support and guidance to develop governance knowledge and capability to make informed decisions as they carry out their responsibilities. Outcomes for tamariki are improved when effective governance practices are embedded. 

The kura leaders have identified the annual implementation plan as an area for further improvement. It is timely for the leadership to share the goals and actions with the Ohu Whakahaere to ensure transparency around actions, responsibilities, and timelines and to submit to the Ministry of Education. Tamariki benefit from the collective responsibility of the kura leadership to plan and deliver on whānau aspirations for tamariki and the kura.

Internal evaluation requires strengthening. It is important for leaders to know what makes a difference for improving outcomes for tamariki. Currently the processes for collating, analysing, and monitoring the progress and achievement of tamariki up to Year 10 lacks rigour. The information provided for the purposes of the review did not identify or focus on all tamariki needs or curriculum areas where disparities occur nor did it set high expectations for accelerating the progress of those tamariki who require this.

 In addition, recent attendance data shows regular attendance rates are low and have declined from Terms 1 to Term 3. It is pertinent that the kura leaders identify and formalise strategies and processes to lift attendance, including monitoring systems and whānau engagement initiatives. Tamariki progress and engagement will be enhanced through improved internal evaluation practices.

Human resource practices require immediate attention. Not all kaimahi have completed police vetting or safety checking prior to employment. Robust employment practices, including mandatory vetting and clear human resource processes, must be implemented to strengthen safety and compliance. Tamariki and mokopuna safety is enhanced through improved human resource practices.

5 Whānau Assurance on Legal Requirement

Before the review, the board of trustees and principal completed the ERO Whānau Assurance Statement and Self-Audit Checklists. In these documents they attested that they had taken all reasonable steps to meet their legislative obligations related to:

• board administration
• curriculum
• management of health, safety and welfare
• personnel management
• financial management
• asset management.

During the review, ERO checked the following items because they have a potentially high impact on student achievement:

• emotional safety of students (including prevention of bullying and sexual harassment)
• physical safety of students
• teacher registration
• processes for appointing staff
• stand-downs, suspensions, expulsions and exclusions
• attendance.

Actions for Compliance 

To meet compliance requirements, they must:

• ensure suitable human resource management practices are implemented, including:

1. obtaining a Police vet before a person starts work at the school and,
2. considering the information contained in the Police vet to assess whether the person would pose a risk to the safety of children if the person were to carry out work at the school.
   [Education and Training Amendment Act 2023, Children’s Act 2014]

The Ohu Whakahaere is working towards addressing this non-compliance.

6 Recommendation

ERO recommends that the Ministry of Education and Te Rūnanga nui o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Aotearoa meet with the Ohu Whakahaere to ascertain what further support is required. 

Tiwana Hibbs 
Toka ā Nuku - Director
Te Uepū ā-Motu – Māori Review Services

20 March 2026

7 Information about the Kura